MILAN, Jan 17 (Reuters) - Chievo Verona will have to break their duck against Juventus on Wednesday if they want to slow the champions' race towards a record 29th Italian title.

In their four seasons in the top flight, Chievo have lost
every game with Juventus at their Bentegodi stadium. However,
Giuseppe Pillon's side have a reputation for humbling big-name
opponents.

Chievo claimed the scalp of AC Milan in December and, since
arriving in Serie A after their climb from the amateur leagues,
they have frequently been able to produce surprise results.

Juve, though, show no signs of letting slip their 10-point
lead over second-placed Inter Milan and, while attention has
often been on their strikers, midfielder Emerson believes their
success stems from a solid defence.

'One of the most positive things about our season so far is
the fact that we have conceded only 10 goals in 19 games,' the
Brazilian told Italian television.

'We need to keep that habit of not conceding many goals
because with the quality we have up front we are always going to
find the target ourselves,' he said.

Third-placed Milan's defeat to AS Roma on Sunday left many
observers declaring the title race over, but Emerson says
Capello has been able to keep the squad focused.

'I think the mental aspect counts for a lot because everyone
is saying the championship is already over but the gaffer knows
very well that is not the case.

'He is working hard on our mental approach, he is putting in
a lot of psychological work,' said the Brazilian.

SOLARI CHANCE

Chievo, who lost 2-1 to Fiorentina on Sunday, will be
without key defender Lorenzo D'Anna and experienced striker
Federico Cossato on Wednesday.

Inter travel to second-from-bottom Treviso without striker
Obafemi Martins, who is on international duty with Nigeria in
the African Nations Cup.

In his absence, Argentine forward Julio Ricardo Cruz is
expected to partner Brazilian Adriano in attack. Serbian
midfielder Dejan Stankovic will serve the first of a two-match
ban, handing a chance to Argentine Santiago Solari on the left
of midfield.

Milan are now 12 points behind Juventus and already talking
of concentrating on the Champions League but they badly need to
make sure of three points against Ascoli at the San Siro.

Fiorentina's win over Chievo maintained their fourth place
and keeps them on track in the race for the Champions League
qualifying places but they face a tricky test away to
eighth-placed Sampdoria.